In honor of the 4th of July, here's a vacation post!
Vacations are tons of fun! Boyfriends are tons of fun!
(Well, they should be. Or consider the single thing.)
Toddlers & Tiaras are tons of fun (to laugh at)!
Why not combine it all and have a how-to guide for vacations with boyfriends, courtesy of the tots of Toddlers & Tiaras?
Half of them probably already have lots of experience (and that's a conservative guess).
1)
Figure out a planning style.
My boyfriend is really
not into planning, but luckily I
LOOOOVE it.
Like I would almost rather plan a vacation than go on one...
So it works out perfectly for us! If you both enjoy planning equally, however, or if you both don't enjoy planning, figure out some sort of division of labor that's acceptable to everyone. As is the general rule in relationships, communication is key. Don't make assumptions and you won't develop resentments.
Also, be sure to have open communication about vacation budgets.
If one of you wants to spend as little as possible (and get back to work as soon as possible) and the other wants a full week of luxury, off of work, it's important that you discuss that upfront and agree on something that works for both of you.
2)
Be very clear about vacation finances.
Generally, I think an even 50/50 split is good. That's what I do and I've found that keeping a google document of expenses along the way, then summing everything up, dividing by two, and seeing if anyone owes the other anything, is really handy. That way you don't have to deal with the potential awkwardness of having to go clear halfsies on every single meal and snack.
Clear communication about going 50/50 also avoids this happening every time the check comes when you go out.
 |
| So...are you going to get that? |
The best part is that you can update the google doc from your phone, so it's simple to just keep two columns with X paid this much for this and Y paid that much for that.
3)
Determine priorities for the vacation.
If one of you wants to tan by the beach and have a nice lazy vacay while the other really wants an active adventure vacation, it's important that you figure that out early and come to a conclusion.
The first step to finding a happy compromise and satisfying everyone's vacation desires is to know what they are. And I don't know about you, but I'm not a mind-reader.
(If you are a mind-reader and can teach me the tools of the trade, please give me a call at 555-4321. It would be so helpful at job interviews and in life in general).
4)
Allow for a little personal space, especially if you're going on a long vacation for the first time.
I went to Disney World for 8 days with my boyfriend after only officially and exclusively dating for 3 months (and casually for 7). When it's still so new, you don't really know how living with a person for an extended time will be.
Though you might get along really well when you're only seeing each other a few hours a week, snark can happen when you're with each other 24/7, without breaks, away from the comforts of home, and with potential travel snafus cropping up.
A little alone time, or at least the possibility of it, can keep the snark in check.
5)
Don't get too self-obsessed.
Remember that you're dating him, not yourself, and while self-love is important and you definitely need to pay heed to your desires, it's also important to remember that you're not the only one that's supposed to have an awesome time on this vacation. It's not always about
I want what I want how I want what I want when I want it.
That said, it is
your vacation too and so it's important that there really is a true balance. Don't be persuaded into spending your whole vacation doing things that you don't want to do.
That's all guys! I hope the tips help. And if not, laughter (courtesy of the pint-sized beauty queens) is always good.
Have you ever taken a trip with a SO?
How did you approach planning the trip?
What is your top tip for a vacation with a SO?
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